Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine is considered by many as the United State’s oldest city. It’s a great place to visit year-round with its historical charm, hundreds of family-friendly tourist attractions, miles of white, sandy beaches and an eclectic array of locally owned boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, craft cocktail bars and plenty of live music. See full post here.

Must-See: Fourth of July fireworks. Thousands of fireworks light up the night sky over the waters of Matanzas Bay as revelers line the streets to catch a glimpse of the city’s famous historic bayfront lit up in red, white and blue.

Perhaps you’re looking to go somewhere sunny in 2018? San Diego is where you can find extensive beaches, a spectacular coast, scenic communities and hundreds of attractions for the entire family. Take in a Padres game, go on a zoo safari, tour craft breweries, track down ghosts and explore more than 70 miles of white, sandy beaches on a vacation that is sure to create memories to last a lifetime. See full post here.

Must-See: Touted as the largest pop culture event in the United States, Comic-Con International attracts thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books and movie memorabilia from July 19 through July 22 (with a special preview night on July 18) at the San Diego Convention Center. Events include film screenings, autograph areas, comic-book dealers and other merchants, gaming displays, a costume contest, awards ceremonies and Artists’ Alley, where comic artists gather to greet fans.

As the capital of and largest city in Tennessee, Nashville (aka Music City) has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the USA. In fact, they were named Best Places to Travel in 2017 by Travel + Leisure, Frommer’s, and AFAR. Located on the Cumberland River, Nashville boasts a metropolitan population just under 2 million and has gained notoriety as the center of the country music industry. From famed honky-tonks to the legendary Grand Ole Opry, Nashville is sure to offer up fun for everyone. See full post here.

Must-See: Touted as the world’s largest songwriters festival, Tin Pan South will feature hundreds of performers at more than a dozen venues around Music City from April 3-7, 2018. For more than a quarter-century, the festival, which is produced by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, has helped launch the careers of come of country and folks music’s biggest names. Tickets will go on sale on March 5, 2018.

As the capital of the United States, Washington, DC has its roots in politics, but this city offers so much more. Located on the Potomac River, DC has a metropolitan population of over 6 million and touts itself as one of the top entertainment and nightlife cities in the world. Fresh seafood, one-of-a-kind shopping, sporting events and cultural diversity are just some of the reasons to visit DC this year. See full post here.

Photo Credit: Destination DC

Must-See: In 2018, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held March 20-April 15 with signature events including a Pink Tie Party, Opening Ceremony, Blossom Kite Festival, Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival and the famed National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England and boasts a colorful history. It is the home of several key events of the American Revolution including the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill. From professional sports and shopping to aquariums, sightseeing tours and luxurious lodging, old Beantown is great place to visit this year. See full post here.

Photo credit: Kyle Klein Photography

Must-See: Arguably the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day outside of The Emerald Isle, South Boston (known by locals as “Southie”) hosts a world-famous celebration of everything Irish-American. On Sunday, March 19, 2018 Boston’s prominent St. Patrick’s Day Parade has a chock-full of colorful floats, live music, interesting characters and plenty of Irish good cheer; this is a celebration not to be missed.

One of my bucket list USA travel destinations has got to be Nashville, Tennessee. Little do people know, I do enjoy my share of country music and have been a fan of the TV show “Nashville” since it aired back in 2012. And watching the show and seeing what a vibrant place Nashville is got me interested in visiting.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

As the capital of and largest city in Tennessee, Nashville (aka Music City) has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the USA. In fact, they were named Best Places to Travel in 2017 by Travel + Leisure, Frommer’s, and AFAR. Located on the Cumberland River, Nashville boasts a metropolitan population just under 2 million and has gained notoriety as the center of the country music industry. From famed honky-tonks to the legendary Grand Ole Opry, Nashville is sure to offer up fun for the whole family. Here are 13 Top Things to Do in Nashville in 2018.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

1. Sightseeing Night Tour

Hop aboard Old Town Trolley for their Soul of Music City Night Tour on a musical journey through Nashville. From the city’s honky-tonks to its famous music venues, uncover insider stories and intriguing facts about the people, places and events for Nashville’s iconic reputation. Points of interest include Ryman Auditorium, Barbershop Harmony Society, Music Row, Third Man Records and the rhythm and blues heritage of historic Jefferson Street. Tickets are around $40 for adults.

2. Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry has become an American icon where country music legends are made. From Clint Black and Carrie Underwood to The Gatlin Brothers and Barbara Mandrell, Opry members are just part of the reason why the landmark is continuously called the “home of American music” and “country’s most famous stage.” Take a backstage tour with tickets starting at $21 for children ages 4 to 11 and $26 for adults.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

3. Lane Motor Museum

Housing the largest European collection of cars and motorcycles in the United States, the Lane Motor Museum features 150 unique vehicles dating from the 1920s all the way up to today. Established in 2002 by Jeff Lane, an automotive enthusiast who donated his personal collection to the museum, Lane Motor Museum features everything from a 1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 Berlina to a 1981 Caterham Super Seven – all under the roof of a 132,000-square-foot facility on Murfreesboro Pike. Tickets range from free for children ages five and under to $12 for adults.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

4. Tin Pan South

Touted as the world’s largest songwriters festival, Tin Pan South will feature hundreds of performers at more than a dozen venues around Music City from April 3-7, 2018. For more than a quarter-century, the festival, which is produced by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, has helped launch the careers of come of country and folks music’s biggest names. Tickets will go on sale on March 5, 2018. When you attend, remember to use the official hashtag #tinpansouth.

Photo Credit: Jason Delkou

5. The Parthenon

As the centerpiece of Centennial Park, The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece and was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. The structure, which stands 42-feet tall, also serves as Nashville’s art museum with a permanent collection of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists as well as additional gallery spaces for temporary shows and exhibits. Tickets are $4 for seniors and children ages 4 to 17 and $6 for adults.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

6. Nashville Fashion Week

Dubbed as a citywide celebration of Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community, Nashville Fashion Week will feature local, regional and national designers and industry professionals in an array of creative events throughout the city. From April 3-7, 2018, NFW (as it’s known by the locals) will promote the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces with promotions, partnerships and educational workshops with all ticket proceeds benefiting the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

7. Historic Ryman Auditorium

It’s the place where bluegrass was born, where Johnny Cash met June Carter and where country music found a mainstream audience. Historic Ryman Auditorium, a 2,362-seat live performance venue on 5th Avenue North, has been through a laundry list of renovations and revivals over the past hundred plus years. From Elvis to Emmylou Harris and Kings of Leon to B.B. King, every performer who has played at Ryman Auditorium has been forever changed by its history, unparallel acoustics and testament to all the ways a stage can connect people to one another. Take a backstage tour with tickets ranging from $15 to $30.

8. Shopping

From clothing boutiques to record stores, Nashville has a bit of something for everyone when it comes to shopping in Music City. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pair of cowboy boots or a handmade stage outfit, look no further. Check out Lower Broadway (also known as the Honky Tonk Highway) for a slew of shops and boutiques including Acme Feed and Seed as well as Opry Originals for home furnishings and artisan goods. SoBro, or South of Broadway, offers up an assortment of retailers such as the confectioner, Goo Goo Shop and Dessert Bar, and Hatch Show Print, a historic letterpress shop. There’s also Nashville Farmer’s Market, Marathon Village, The Gulch, 12 South and Hillsboro Village. Learn more here.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

9. Johnny Cash Museum

A tribute to The Man in Black, the Johnny Cash Museum on 3rd Avenue South pays homage to one of country music icon’s brightest stars, Johnny Cash. Listed as a top place to visit on Forbes and National Geographic travel lists, the museum houses a world-class collection of everything Cash from instruments and clothing to historical documents and awards. Tickets range from $15 to $19.

10. The Hermitage Hotel

A cherished landmark in downtown Nashville, The Hermitage Hotel offers an old-world blend of classical Italian and French Renaissance features with modern amenities. Located on 6th Avenue North, the hotel was built between 1908 and 1910 and has remained one of the most lavish and luxurious lodgings the Music City has ever seen. From personalized service to inviting staff and the most spacious rooms and suites in downtown, The Hermitage Hotel is an oasis for relaxation during your Nashville vacation.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

11. Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tours

One of the best ways to take in all that the Music City has to offer is aboard an Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour. This hop-on, hop-off, fully-narrated guided tour takes you to 15 stops and more than one hundred points of interest including Bluebird Café, Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum, Ryman Auditorium, Legislative Plaza, Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University. Tickets are free for children 4 and under, $19 for children ages 4 to 12 and $34 for adults.

12. Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

Hailed as the best family-friendly festival in the city, the 10th Annual Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Nashville Public Square with a Cherry Blossom Walk from 9 am to 10 am and the Festival held from 10 am to 5 pm. The festival is free to the public and is a celebration of spring and Japanese culture including music, dance, martial arts demonstrations, cuisine, artwork, anime and much more.

Photo Credit: Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

13. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

With a mission to preserve the history and traditions of country music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on 5th Avenue South boasts 350,000-square-feet of state-of-the-art galleries, archival storage, education classrooms, retail stores and special event space. Called the “Smithsonian of country music,” the museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music, takes visitors through the history and sounds of country music including honored artifacts, vintage video and technology-enhanced activities. Tickets range from $18 to $27.